Rice Ridge Fire Funds Airport Improvements

SEELEY LAKE – The northwest areas of the Seeley Lake Airport will see much needed improvements this summer thanks to nearly $35,000 earned from use during the Rice Ridge Fire. Three new concrete helipads will be constructed as well as clearing the area, improving the vehicle path and access from Cottonwood Lakes Road.

The Seeley Lake Airport is state owned. It is not part of the National Airspace System or the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

"There are no federal dollars [to support the Seeley Lake Airport]. Likewise there are no federal requirements to maintain the airport," said Tim Conway, Administrator of the Division of Aeronautics, Montana Department of Transportation.

Several years ago, there was space set aside on the northwest side of the runway for helicopter operations, most specifically for wildland fire helicopter operations. This allows helicopter crews a place to operate from the airport that causes the least amount of disturbance to the tenants in and around the airport.

During the Rice Ridge Fire a temporary flight restriction was implemented, closing the air space to everyone but aircraft associated with the fire. The Montana Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics signed an Emergency Facilities & Land Use Agreement with the United States Forest Service Aug. 3, 2017 to allow the use of the airport as a helibase. The Division of Aeronautics collected $28,000 for the land/facilities usage charges.

Following the fire, the Division of Aeronautics assessed the area for wear and tear beyond what was agreed upon in the agreement. The Forest Service was responsible to cover damages caused by rotor wash and vehicle traffic. They collected $6,800 for reseeding these areas.

Conway said it was up to the Division of Aeronautics to allocate the funds.

"They don't have to be used at the [Seeley Lake] airport," said Conway. "They could be retained for other purposes."

However, since the source of the money came from fire suppression efforts in Seeley Lake and there was a need for those improvements at the airport, they decided to reinvest the money back into the airport.

"This was a good opportunity to take advantage of available revenue to provide for the need and improve the airport," said Conway.

The Division of Aeronautics intends to complete the following work on the northwest corner of the airport this summer:

• Construct three – 20 ft x 20 ft concrete helipads.

• Clear weeds and remove rocks from an area of approximately 600 x 100 feet.

• Construct a designated vehicle path of approximate 600 X 12 feet.

• Widen the gate on the northwest corner of the airport by approximately 4 feet.

• Improve the entry to the airport from Cottonwood Lakes Road.

"This will make the area more user friendly for future firefighting efforts," said Conway.

Conway said they hope to have the project under contract before July 1. If there are any funds left over, the money will be used for continued maintenance at the airport.